Intel-Micron Reduces Flash Memory Size By A Third

The shrunken NAND flash memory will allow smartphones and tablet devices to include more high storage components while using less space on the circuit board. IM said that the new NAND flash memory devices will take up 30 percent to 40 percent.

The companies said that the breakthrough could pave the way for 128GB solid state drives that will be smaller than a postage stamp.

According to Information Week (http://www.informationweek.com/news/storage/portable/229401639), the companies plans to release samples of 8GB NAND flash memory based on the 20nm architecture to device makers soon and will begin mass producing them in the second half of 2011 while providing samples of 16GB memory devices.

“Our goal is to enable instant, affordable access to the world's information. Industry-leading NAND gives Intel the ability to provide the highest quality and most cost-effective solutions to our customers, generation after generation,” Tom Rampone, vice president and general manager of Intel's Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group, said in a statement.